Lipid composition for improving brain function

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to the use of a lipid fraction for the support of brain function. The lipid fraction comprises the medium-chain fatty acids at least 4 g hexanoic acid and/or at least 5 g octanoic acid, at least 1 g eicosapentaenoic acid, and in addition more than 0.4 g α-linolenic acid per 100 g fatty acids of the lipid fraction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/666,619, filed Apr. 2, 2010, which is a National Phase application ofPCT/NL2008/050410, filed Jun. 20, 2008, and published as WO 2009/002165,which claims the benefit of priority from International PatentApplication PCT/NL2007/050306, filed Jun. 26, 2007. The foregoingapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to lipid blends which comprise selected fattyacids, and the use thereof in the manufacture of nutritional orpharmaceutical products for improving brain function in a mammal, inparticular in the elderly.

BACKGROUND

The nervous system, in particular the brain, plays an essential role ina mammal's life. For example cognitive, emotional, social, sensory,motoric and regulatory functions are mainly determined by the brain. Inthe western society more and more diseases, disorders and problems witha proper functioning of the brain are becoming recognised. Young peopleincreasingly experience damage to the brain, for example due tointoxications such as alcohol—or drug abuse, due to traumata such astraumatic brain injury (TBI), for example as a result of sportaccidents, work accidents, car accidents and the like, or systematicmalnourishment. Also during aging several deleterious changes occur inthe nervous system and in particular in the brain. Malfunctioning of thebrain is therefore especially a problem in the elderly and more inparticular in the frail or malnourished elderly. In this group, severaldiseases and disorders which are associated with or find their cause ina badly functioning nervous system are therefore relatively frequentlyobserved. Examples are several forms of dementia, such as vasculardementia, Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies; Huntington'sdisease, Parkinson's disease; mood disorders, such as the various formsof depression, but also other diseases or disorders like abnormalbehaviour, for example during daily living, withdrawal from socialevents and indecisiveness.

Many lipid blends have been used in the manufacture of foods forimproving brain function. For example WO 2006/118665 discloses a methodof reducing protein aggregation in the brain of a mammal by increasingendogenous ketone levels. The latter can be achieved by administeringmedium chain fatty acids (MCT) and a low amount of digestiblecarbohydrates. WO 2007/001883 discloses the use of MCT and carnitine toimprove mitochondrial function. U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,750 discloses theuse of MCT in a dose of 0.5-10 g/kg body weight per day to treatAlzheimer's disease. However, it is generally known that administrationof high doses of MCT may result in gastrointestinal discomfort.Furthermore, MCT administration results in a satiating effect which maydecrease the amount that is consumed of subsequent meals. This is oftenundesirable in diseased persons or the elderly. Also the ketogeniccharacter of MCT decreases with time, which would mandate theconsumption of ever increasing amounts of MCT to obtain the sameketogenic effect. Further, MCT consumption may result in increasedplasma levels of for example triglycerides, which is undesirable inpersons who are at risk of developing cardiovascular or cerebrovasculardisorders, such as the elderly and in obese persons. EP 1282365discloses the use of a blend which comprises omega-3 long-chainpolyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA's) and phospholipids inconjunction with specific B vitamins to treat vascular diseases anddementia. JP 10136937 discloses a total nutritional food comprisingdocosahexanoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and linoleic acid foractivating the function of encephalic cells.

Lipid blends have also been proposed for the treatment of disorders,other than for the support of brain function. U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,037discloses the use of a lipid blend which comprises 55-95 wt % MCT, 5-25wt % ω-3 LCP and 0-3 wt % other fatty acids for treatment ofdyslipidaemias. EP 1216041 discloses the use of a high amount (35-70 en%) of a lipid blend with 25-70 wt % MCT and ω-6/ω-3=2-7:1 in themanufacture of a food product for the treatment of sepsis orinflammatory shock. WO 2003/013276 discloses the use of 30-70 en % of alipid blend which is rich in oleic acid (50-70 wt %) and specificamounts of ω-6 fatty acids and 1-10 wt % ω-3 fatty acids for increasingintramyocellular lipid levels in muscle cells, which is claimed to bebeneficial for endurance athletes. On the other hand, also a blend with40-65 wt % MCT and MUFA=0-30 wt % and 20-50 wt % LC saturated fattyacids is disclosed for decreasing the accumulation of intramyocellularlipids in an individual. EP 0175468 discloses the use of a mixture ofdocosahexanoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (anω-6 fatty acid) for the treatment of cancer.

Therefore there is a need for nutritional or pharmaceutical compositionswhich are suitable for enteral use by a patient in need of a support ofbrain function, which does not have the disadvantages of prior artcompositions, which demonstrates a rapid effect, and which is convenientfor use and palatable.

The inventors now have found that the use of a lipid fraction, in aspecific formulation of the product and optionally in combination with aprotein fraction, and/or other components provides these advantages overthe prior art solutions for the support of brain function, in particularin the elderly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to a lipid fraction for the support of brainfunction, the treatment of neurological disorders or diseases, such asAlzheimer's disease, and the decrease in cognitive function, where thelipid fraction comprises one or more sources of hexanoic acid and/oroctanoic acid, a source of eicosapentaenoic acid, and more than 0.4 gα-linolenic acid per 100 g fatty acids of the lipid fraction.

The lipid fraction may be used to manufacture a nutritional orpharmaceutical product. Such product is suitable for enteraladministration to a patient in need of support of his or her brainfunction. Preferably, the product comprises some antigens, such asproteins or peptides and the like, which make the product unsuitable forparenteral administration. Hence, the invention relates to a nutritionalor pharmaceutical product comprising the lipid fraction according to theinvention. The product can be used as a supplement and may have aliquid, a semi-liquid or solid form.

The liquid forms of the product as claimed can be manufactured with lowviscosity, which makes them suitable for administration by tube to apatient. The viscosity of the liquid form is therefore low, preferablyless than 40, more preferably 6-30 mPa·s at 20° C., measured at a shearrate of 100 sec⁻¹. Hence, the invention relates in particular to the useof a composition comprising the lipid fraction according to theinvention, wherein the viscosity is less than 40 mPa·s, more preferablybetween 6 and 30 mPa·s at 20° C., measured at a shear rate of 100 sec⁻¹.

Preferably, the liquid product comprises a protein fraction, a lipidfraction and a carbohydrate fraction, as well as vitamins and mineralsor trace elements in order to provide full support of brain function inpatients with varying nutritional status. It is important that despitethe inclusion of all these ingredients, the osmotic value remains below500, more preferably 200-470 mOsm per kg product in the product, inorder to increase compliance and increase brain support in especiallyelderly patients. Gastrointestinal discomfort is prevented by thismeasure. These osmolality values are also applicable in products havinga pH between 3.8 and 7 and which are flavoured. The latter propertiesare important for obtaining superior palatability of the product and anexcellent compliance with recommended administration protocols in thelonger term. Hence, the invention relates in particular to the use of acomposition comprising the lipid fraction according to the invention,wherein the osmotic value is less than 500 mOsm, more preferably between200 and 470 mOsm per kg product.

The ready to consume products which have a lipid level above 45 en %,preferably more than 55 en %, most preferably more than 60 en %, up toe.g. 75 en %, will preferably have a higher dry mass content per unitdose than conventional products. Good compliance with prescriptionprotocols can be obtained when such products have a dry mass content ofmore than 32 g per 100 g, preferably 35-96 g per 100 g, more preferably40-95 g per 100 g, especially 45-80 g per 100 g ready to use product.Examples are ice cream, puddings and bars, which are known in the art.

The products, in particular liquid products will have an energy densityof more than 0.9 kcal/ml, preferably 1-7 kcal/ml (4.2-29.4 kJ/ml), andmost preferably 2.4-6.5 kcal/ml (10.1-27.3 kJ/ml). Hence, the inventionfurther relates to the use of a composition comprising the lipidfraction according to the invention, having an energy density of morethan 0.9 kcal/ml, preferably 1-7 kcal/ml (4.2-29.4 kJ/ml), and mostpreferably 2.4-6.5 kcal/ml (10.1-27.3 kJ/ml).

The lipid fraction as described below in detail has been developed tofully support brain function. Nutritional status of neuronal cells, inparticular of neurons, astrocytes and glial cells is improved againstprior art lipid blends. Such status can for example be monitored bymeasuring atrophy of the brain cells, for example by applying MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) methods as known in the art, or determiningbiochemical or physiological properties of the brain, e.g. by applyingPET (positron emission tomography), analysis of cerebrospinal fluidcomposition or single photon emission tomography (SPECT).

The lipid fraction comprises at least 0.4, preferably 1-12 weightpercent (wt %) α-linolenic acid (aLA), and preferably at least 0.4,preferably 1-20 wt % eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) based on the sum offatty acids in that fraction. Suitable sources for increasing the amountof aLA include canola oil and flax seed oil.

The lipid fraction preferably comprises docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in anamount of at least 0.5, preferably 1-35, more preferably 5-30 wt % ofthe sum of fatty acids in that fraction and wherein the weight ratio ofDHA to EPA is preferably in the range 0.2-7, more preferably 0.8-4. Theinclusion of these amounts of DHA in the lipid blend will improvenutritional status of brain cells.

The lipid fraction comprises preferably more than 15 g DHA, preferablymore than 3 g EPA and preferably more than 1 g linolenic acid andpreferably more than 3 g, preferably 4-20 g hexanoic acid and preferablymore than 4 g, preferably 5-20 g octanoic acid, per 100 g of all fattyacids. The inclusion of all these fatty acids in these amounts not onlyimprove nutritional status but also may influence the other propertiesof the brain cells in such a way that a net support of the brainfunction can be observed.

The weight amount of α-linolenic acid is preferably 0.3-1 times theweight amount of linoleic acid in the lipid fraction. It is thought bythe inventors that the relatively high amount of α-linolenic acidcompared to linoleic acid is not due to a direct effect on the braincells but instead works indirectly, despite the early nature of theeffect that is observed.

The lipid fraction preferably comprises 10-60, more preferably 25-45,most preferably 28-40 g medium chain triglycerides (MCT) per 100 g ofthe lipid fraction in the product (or the same amounts of themedium-chain fatty acids on 100 g of all fatty acids). Following thedosing regimens for the product, this results in a dose of less than 0.5g MCT per kg bodyweight per day in order to prevent gastrointestinaldiscomfort.

The medium-chain fatty acids (MCT) are defined to be linear or branchedsaturated carboxylic acids having six, seven, eight, nine or ten carbonatoms. Best results in terms of support of brain function are obtainedwith linear fatty acids having 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms and the weightamount of the sum of these fatty acids compared to the sum of the weightamount of 9 and 10 carbon atoms should preferably be more than 2.5.

The best sources of medium chain fatty acids are MCT or selectedfractions rich in medium chain fatty acids from coconut oil, lipids orbutter from milk, palm kernel oil or palm oil. The sources providetriglycerides with a high content of hexanoic (C6:0) and octanoic acid(C8:0) and may also comprise C10:0 or other fatty acids. It is importantthat the doses of C6:0 and C8:0 are met, as are the other requirementsfor the lipid blend. This may result in the use of sources of MCT whichhave a low level of C10:0. In particular such MCT comprise less than 20wt % C10:0, preferably less than 15 wt % of the fatty acid in that MCToil. The total amount of C10 fatty acids is preferably less than 10 wt.% of all fatty acids of the composition, more preferably less than 7 wt.%

Also, good results can be obtained when at least one source of hexanoicacid and/or octanoic acid is used which provides 45-100 wt % of hexanoicacid and/or octanoic acid based on the total amount of fatty acids inthat source and wherein that source is not medium chain triglyceride oil(MCT). Such sources include di- or monoglycerides comprising one or twosaturated fatty acids having a carbon number of 6-10. The use of suchingredients increases palatability and decreases gastrointestinaldiscomfort alter consumption of doses of a bolus of 40 g lipids. Hence,the invention also relates to the use of a lipid fraction comprising asource of di- and monoglycerides, said source providing 45-100 wt % ofhexanoic acid and/or octanoic acid, based on the total amount of fattyacids, for improving brain function,

The lipid fraction comprises preferably at least 6 wt % of phospholipidsor lysophospholipids. This decreases the risk of gastrointestinaldiscomfort of a product rich in triglycerides comprising hexanoic andoctanoic acids. It also facilitates bioavailability of the traceelements and vitamins.

The lipid fraction preferably contributes more than 45%, more preferably48-70% of the energy of the product after administration to a human,using the Atwater factors for digestible carbohydrates (4 kcal/g),proteins (4 kcal/g) and lipids (9 kcal/g) and zero for the organic acidsand nutritional fiber, minerals and vitamins in the product. Despite thefact that these products comprise a relatively high amount of lipids,and in particular MCT, administration thereof does not lead to thenegative side effects as frequently observed by prior art high fatproducts. These side effects include strong satiating, gastrointestinaldiscomfort such as sickness and diarrhea, but also include impartment ofthe availability of other components in the product such as vitamins,trace elements and decreased digestion rates of proteins andcarbohydrates. These advantages are thought to be attributed to theselection of the lipid blend alone and in combination with the selectionof the nature of the other components of the product.

The lipid fraction comprises preferably more than 10 wt % MCT andpreferably 0.1-40 wt %, more preferably 1-32 wt %, especially 2-20 wt %of ω-3 LCP (ω-3 LCP being defined as ω-3 fatty acids having at least twounsaturated carbon-carbon bonds and at least 20 carbon atoms).

The amount of free fatty acids is preferably less than 2 wt %, morepreferably less than 1 wt % in the lipid blend in order to minimisegastrointestinal discomfort.

The lipid fraction is defined to be the part of the ready to use productwhich is obtained by extraction of that product with a suitable solventusing the accepted method for that particular product as published inthe AOAC (American Organisation of Analytical Chemists) Handbookpublished in 1995. The lipid fraction thus also comprises phospholipids,glycolipids, ceramides, mono-, di- and triglycerides etc.

Preferably the lipid fraction is used in combination with a nucleotidefraction in the product for the support of brain function. Best resultsin efficacy and low undesired side effects are obtained when thenucleotide fraction comprises a uridine or cytidine source.

The uridine source is preferably selected from the group of uracil,uridine, phosphate forms of uridine like uridine monophosphate,diphosphate, or triphosphate, their salts and the esters of uridine oris phosphates with carboxylic acids in monomeric or in polymeric form.In particular those derivatives of uridine are effective, wherein theuridine has been acylated with acetic acid, n-caproic acid, caprylicacid, or n-capric acid, because these increase the bioavailability ofthe uridine source. Methods for reacting these medium chain fatty acidsto uridines, for example to the 5′ position of the uridine are known inthe art per se for other fatty acids and comprise conventional acylationmethods.

The invention also relates to compositions containing 0.05-100 wt. %,especially 0.2-10 wt. % of these uridine C6-C10 acylates, the remainderbeing food or food-grade component, which especially may comprise 1-75wt. % of a lipid fraction. The invention also relates to a mixture ofthe uridine C6-C10 acylates with a lipid composition in a weight ratiobetween 1:200 and 1:1, especially between 1:60 and 1:3.

Doses that must be administered are given as UMP. The amount of otheruracil sources can be calculated by taking the molar equivalent to theUMP amount

Similarly the cytidine source is preferably selected from the group ofcytidine, its phosphates, its salts and esters of cytidine. Also similaras for uracil doses between various cytidine forms can be compared andcalculated into each other.

In order to obtain a better improvement of brain function the sum of theweight amount of uridine, calculated to uracil equivalents, cytidine,calculated to cytosine is at least 2 times, preferably at least 4 timesthe weight amount of adenine, guanine, thymine, inosine or othernucleobases.

Best efficacy is obtained and least undesired side effects are obtainedwhen the doses UMP or CMP is per 100 ml ready to use product at least 40mg, preferably 50-6000, more preferably 60-1000 mg. Most preferably70-600 mg UMP is included per 100 g of ready to use product. The amounttop be used per 100 g pf lipid fraction is preferably at 100 mg, morepreferably 200 mg-20 g, most preferably 400 mg-10 g per 100 g lipid.

Preferably the product comprises a fibre fraction which comprises foodgrade nutritional fibres. More preferably the fibre comprises more than10 wt %, especially more than 20 wt. % oligomeric indigestible materialhaving a chain length of 3 to 20 saccharide units. In particular, whenthe fibre blend comprises (e.g. at least 10 wt. %) oligosaccharides ofarabans, mannans, uronic acids (e.g. galacturonans) or galactans ormixtures thereof, such benefits are observed. In a particular embodimentthe fibres comprise at least 20 wt %, especially at least 30 wt. % ofoligo- and polysaccharides having a molecular weight in the range of500-10.800 (=DP 3-60). Even better results are obtained when the fibrefraction comprises a mixture of oligosaccharides (3-20 units), andpolymeric fibres which have a chain length of more than 60 saccharideunits, and possibly polymeric fibres of intermediate length (20-60units). The polymeric fibres include cellulose and hemicellulose-typefibers, like those in pea and soy.

Suitable oligo saccharides are synthetic oligosaccharides likegalacto-oligosaccharides, or hydrolysed natural fibres, like hydrolysedguar or hydrolysed beet fibre or hydrolysed pectin or mixtures thereof.In order to obtain best results, the weight amount of fibre in theproduct should be 0.04-2, preferably 0.07-1, more preferably 0.1-0.8times the weight amount of lipids in the product. Gastrointestinaldiscomfort and postprandial lipid profile is significantly improved whenthe fibre blend is included in the MCT enriched formula.

Other components that beneficially are included are carnitine, vitamins,trace elements, minerals as known in the art. It is preferred to includeat least one of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 in the productand more preferably all three. Folic acid should be included per 100 mlready to use product in an amount of 50-500 μg, vitamin B6 in an amountof 0.5-5 mg and vitamin B12 0.8-100 μg, or the same amount in a dailydosage unit. With respect to the lipid fraction, the amounts arepreferably 0.5-10 mg folic acid, and/or 5-100 mg vitamin B6, and/or8-2000 μg vitamin B12 per 100 g lipid.

Suitable carnitine sources include L-carnitine or the acyl carnitinesknown in the art, such as acetyl, butyryl, isobutyryl or propionylcarnitine. Suitable doses are 2-100, preferably 10-80 mg per 100 mlready to use product or per daily dosage unit.

The product may further comprise proteinaceous material and digestiblecarbohydrates. The amount of digestible carbohydrates preferably is lessthan 50%, more preferably 5-45%, most preferably 10-40% of the totalenergy content.

The product can be used in an amount of 50-400 ml, especially 75-200 ml,most preferably 100-150 ml per day, based on the ready-to-use liquid.The amount of lipid fraction to be used per day may range from 1 to 100g, especially 2.5-50 g, most preferably 4-20 g of lipid fraction per dayor per daily dosage unit.

The product is useful in the improvement or support of brain function,in humans in need of support of brain function, which can be of any age,such as infants, children, adolescents, young adults, adults andelderly. Especially envisioned is the support of brain function inhumans at risk for or suffering from injury of the central nervoussystem, e.g. brain trauma or spinal cord injury, such as resulting fromcar accidents, sports accidents, work accidents, combat situations, andthe like. In particular is envisioned the elderly, more in particularthe frail elderly or non-obese elderly. The product can be effective inhumans who are apoE4 positive or negative.

The product has the further advantages of decreasing the plasma levelsof triglycerides and dicarboxylic acids after consumption of the productcompared to the consumption of prior art products that compriseconventional lipid blends. Also the urinary excretion of dicarboxylicacids like adipic acid, suberic and sebacic acid decrease, which is morephysiological and support a better use of ketone bodies by the consumer.No side effects are observed such as gastrointestinal discomfort, or anegative influence on brain size or brain growth. The products arehighly palatable and appear to create better availability of mineralsand vitamins compared to prior art preparations having a similar lipidconcentration in the product. These advantages are due to one or more ofthe differences with prior art formulations.

The inclusion of the hexanoic (C6:0) and/or octanoic acid (C8:0) allowsthe inclusion of lower amounts of DHA to have the same effect as higherdoses of DHA in a product with a lipid blend which does not comprisehexanoic acid and/or octanoic acid. The inclusion of the medium-chainfatty acids in a lipid blend with DHA also allows the inclusion of loweramounts of medium-chain triglycerides fatty acids while observing thesame efficacy as higher doses of medium-chain triglycerides without thelipids blend with DHA.

Support of brain function is meant to be an improvement of skills isrelated to activities of daily living, cognition, social skills,decision making skills, motoric skills and abilities to liveindependently from the help of others. Such improvement can be measuredby determination of the abilities of the persons to practice them.Activities of daily living include instrumental activities, operationalactivities, and basal activities. These activities include the abilityto use household appliances, to coordinate one's movements, to makerapid movements, to walk, do the laundry, do the dishes, to applyhygienic practices, to travel, etcetera.

The brain function is also supported in a prodromal patient for aneurological disorder, in a patient suffering from a cognitive declineor in a patient suffering from senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease,diabetes or insulin resistance or in a patient who experienced aphysical trauma or toxicological trauma.

The product according the invention demonstrates rapid efficacy. Ifprior art formulations would demonstrate efficacy, they demonstrate thisafter at least weeks of use. The current formulations demonstrate anefficacy within hours or days after the start of using the formulation.

Standardised protocols are known in the art to measure in ascientifically sound and reliable way the measure of skills as mentionedabove.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Liquid for Use in a Prodromal Patient

The liquid comprises per 100 ml 3 g protein (as casein/whey 80/20), 7 glipid (MCT/canola/phospholipids/marine oils in a weight ratio of50/30/6/14) and 8 g digestible carbohydrates (as maltodextrin19/fructose/lactose in a ratio 60/10/30) and further:

UMP 500 mg [other nucleotides<10 mg]; cholin 300 mg;

Vitamin B6 1.1 mg; vit B12 2.3 μg; folic acid 300 μg; Other traceelements, minerals and vitamins according to the art for supplements;

Galactooligosaccharides 0.6 g; pea fiber 0.6 g

Giving an osmolality of 490 mOsm/kg water

The drink is to be administered in an amount of 125 ml per day duringone week to a prodromal dementia patient in order to see the effect onbrain function and in particular better social skills, more activitiesand fitness and better cognitive function, and a better alertness andability to concentrate and pay attention.

Example 2

Bar for use in a patient suffering from Alzheimer's Disease once ortwice per day.

The bar comprises per 25 g dry mass:

10.5 g Lipids: (40 MCT; milk fat 25, fish oil 15, canola 15, chocolate5)

3 g protein (milkprotein)

9 g carbohydrates (glucose syrup)

1 g premix providing 100 ug folic acid, 2 ug vitamin B12 and 1 mgvitamin B6 and 200 mg UMP

1.5 g fiber (GOS 10, hydrolyzed guar 40, soy fiber 50)

Example 3

Liquid for use in a person suffering from cognitive decline.

At least 200 ml per day should be consumed by the person of the productwhich comprises per 100 ml:

Energy 600 kcal

Protein 3.1 g milk protein

Lipids 14.6 g; 7 g C6:0+C8:0; 0.2 g α-linolenic acid; 0.6 geicosapentaenoic acid and 0.9 g docosahexaenoic acid, 5.9 g other fattyacids

Carbohydrates 0.6 g

UMP 500 mg

Fiber: 1.5 g of a 1:1 mixture of beet fiber and hydrolysed pectin

Vitamin A 253 IU; vitamin D 2.2 IU; vitamin C 9 mg; vitamin K 6 μg;thiamin 0.14 mg; riboflavin 0.15 mg; niacin 1.5 mg; vitamin B6 1.1 mg;folic acid 100 μg; vitamin B12 0.9 μg, biotin 4 μg; pantothenic acid 0.6mg; inositol 4 mg; Na 4.3 mg; K 4.1 mg; Cl 4.3 mg; Ca 86 mg; P 100 mg;Mg 22 mg; Zn 1.2 mg; Fe 1.5 mg; Cu 0.12 mg; Mn 0.13 mg; Iodide 18 μg; Mo6 μg; Se 4.4 μg; Cr 3 μg

Example 4

Liquid drink for support of brain function in the elderly, whichcomprises per 100 ml:

Energy 630 kJ.

Protein 6.0 g casein

Lipids 8.7 g comprising a mixture of 50 wt % MCT oil, 15% marine oil and35 wt % vegetable oils

Carbohydrates 12 g (80 maltodextrins, 20 glucose syrup)

Dietary fiber 1.2 g of blend of example 3

UMP 400 mg

Other trace elements, minerals and vitamins according the art forsupplements

Example 5

Bar suitable for use in a person suffering from physical brain traumacomprising per 50 g:

12 g lipid fraction (7.2 g diglycerides having per 100 g fatty acidstherein 80 g of the sum of hexaenoic acid and octanoic acid, 2.4 gflaxseed oil, 1.2 g marine oil, 1.2 g soy lecithin),

21 g digestible carbohydrates (maltodextrins, glycerol)

11 g skimmed milk powder

1.3 g ash

4.7 g water

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of supporting brain function,comprising administering to a person in need thereof a compositioncomprising a lipid fraction comprising hexanoic acid and/or octanoicacid; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and more than 0.4 g alpha-linolenicacid per 100 g fatty acids of the lipid fraction.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the lipid fraction comprises: (a)docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in an amount of at least 10 wt % of the sumof fatty acids in the lipid fraction and wherein the weight ratio of DHAto EPA is 0.2-7; and/or (b) 10-60 g medium chain triglycerides (MCT) per100 g of the lipid fraction; and/or (c) linoleic acid and wherein theweight amount of alpha-linolenic acid is 0.3-1 times the weight amountof linoleic acid in the lipid fraction; and/or (d) 10-60 wt % MCT and1-30 wt % omega-3 LCP; and/or (e) at least 6 wt % of phospholipids orlysophospholipids.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lipidfraction comprises, per 100 g fatty acids, more than 15 g DHA, more than3 g EPA, more than 1 g alpha-linolenic acid, more than 4 g hexanoic acidand more than 5 g octanoic acid.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein at least one source of hexanoic acid and/or octanoic acid isused which provides 45-100 wt % of these fatty acids based on the totalamount of fatty acids in that source and wherein that source is notmedium chain triglyceride oil.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein the lipid fraction contributes 45-70% of the energy of theproduct after administration to a human.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the lipid fraction is combined with of a nucleotidefraction, and wherein the nucleotide fraction comprises a uridine or acytidine source.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the uridinesource is selected from the group of uracil, uridine, phosphate forms ofuridine, esters of uridine with carboxylic acids, and the cytidinesource is selected from the group of cytidine, its phosphates, esters ofcytidine and wherein the sum of the weight amount of uridine, calculatedto uracil equivalents, cytidine, calculated to cytosine is at least 2times the weight amount of adenine, guanine, thymine, inosine or othernucleobases.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the uridinesource is UMP, and is present in an amount of 200 mg-20 g per 100 glipid.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lipid fraction iscombined with a fiber fraction comprising an oligosaccharide.
 10. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein the fiber fraction comprises morethan 10 wt %, oligomeric indigestible material having a chain length of3 to 20 saccharide units.
 11. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe fiber fraction comprises a mixture of oligosaccharides of 3-20units, and polymeric fibers of more than 60 saccharide units, and,optionally, polymeric fibers of intermediate length of 20-60 units. 12.The method according to claim 9, wherein the oligosaccharides aresynthetic oligosaccharides, or are hydrolysed natural fibers.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein the hydrolysed natural fiberscomprise hydrolysed guar, hydrolysed beet fiber, hydrolysed pectin ormixtures thereof.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein thesupport of brain function is related to activities of daily living,cognition, social skills, decision making skills, motoric skills andabilities to live independently from the help of others.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the brain function is supported in aprodromal patient for a neurological disorder, or in a patient sufferingfrom senile dementia, from Alzheimer's disease, from diabetes or insulinresistance or from a physical trauma or toxicological trauma.
 16. Aproduct comprising a lipid fraction comprising hexanoic acid and/oroctanoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and more than 0.4 galpha-linolenic acid per 100 g fatty acids of the lipid fraction. 17.The product according to claim 16, wherein the weight amount of fibre inthe product is 0.04-2 times the weight amount of lipids in the product.18. The product according to claim 16, having a dry mass content of morethan 32 g per 100 g ready to consume product.
 19. A method of supportingbrain function, comprising administering to a person in need thereof aproduct according to claim
 16. 20. The method according to claim 19,wherein the support of brain function is related to activities of dailyliving, cognition, social skills, decision making skills, motoric skillsand abilities to live independently from the help of others.
 21. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein the brain function is supported ina prodromal patient for a neurological disorder, or in a patientsuffering from senile dementia, from Alzheimer's disease, from diabetesor insulin resistance or from a physical trauma or toxicological trauma.